Sinningia plant named `Glo White`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Sinningia×hybrida plant named `Glo White`, particularly characterized by its large pure white, velvet textured double flowers clustered in the center of the plant. The plants grow very quickly, becoming marketable in approximately 12 weeks, and are very floriferous, often having 4-6 flowers open at a given time.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofSinningia×hybrida, a genus in the family Gesneriaceae, and referred toby the cultivar name `Glo White`. The new cultivar is a hybrid selectedfrom the progeny of a cross of parent plants identified below.

Hybrids of Sinningia speciosa, or Gloxinia as they are commonly known,are popular potted plants which may be cultivated indoors or ingreenhouses. They are distinguished by their large, showy velvettextured flowers which come in various shades of violet, rose, red, orwhite.

Sinningia are typically propagated from seeds, or by leaf cuttings ortissue culture. The new cultivar is a sterile hybrid which does notproduce any seeds and is asexually propagated by tissue culture.

The new cultivar is a product of a breeding program carried out by theinventor Renate Plate in Bremen, Germany. The new cultivar `Glo White`is a result of several generations of crosses of selected, but unnamedSinningia speciosa made by the inventor in Germany beginning in 1994.The new cultivar `Glo White` was discovered from the progeny of thestated cross by Renate Plate in 1995. Asexual propagation by tissueculture done under the supervision of the inventor in laboratories inBremen, Germany was used to increase the number of plants for evaluationand has demonstrated the stability of the combination of the plant fromgeneration to generation.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Apopka, Fla. in greenhouse conditions which are typical ofthose generally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish `Glo White` from generally availableseedling-derived Sinningia common in commercial cultivation:

1. The flowers produced by `Glo White` are double, large, pure white incolor, and are clustered in the center of the plant.

2. Plants of `Glo White` have a short, compact growth habit, and aresuitable for cultivation in 10-12 cm pots.

3. Plants of `Glo White` are very floriferous, typically having 4-6 ormore flowers open at a given time, and 12 or more buds in various stagesof development and which open in successon. Once in bloom, the planttypically remains in bloom for 12 weeks.

4. Plants of `Glo White` grow very quickly, producing marketableflowering plants in approximately 12 weeks.

It is difficult to compare the new cultivar with seed-derived Sinningiawhich are heterogeneous genetically, and therefore lack uniformity inflower color and quality. By comparison, `Glo White` is a singlesuperior genotype asexually propagated preferably by tissue culture.Thus, its combined horticultural properties listed above are uniform andpredictable.

All color references are measured against The Royal HorticulturalSociety color chart. Colors are approximate as color depends onhorticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate,among others, without, however, any change in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprises a top perspective view of theflowers and foliage of a plant of `Glo White` grown in a 15 cm pot. Thephotograph was taken approximately 16 weeks after planting a smallcutting obtained by tissue culture and grown under appropriate growingconditions.

Colors are as accurate as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

Origin: Seedling from a cross of selected, but named Sinningia speciosahybrids.

Classification: Sinningia×hybrida, cv `Glo White`.

Propagation: Asexual propagation by tissue culture or leaf cuttings.

FLOWERS

Calyx: 6-8 lobed, lobes lanceolate, acutely tapered. Approximately 2.5cm to 2.8 cm long, and 1.0 cm to 1.3 cm wide. Adaxial color is greenerthan, but closest to 146 A-B; abaxial color is 146 B.

Corolla: Campanulate, outermost whorl has approximately 6 lobes.Secondary inner whorls of corolla are ruffled in appearance. The numberof lobes is variable, 8 to 10. Corolla approximately 6.2 cm to 7.0 cmlong, and 7.8 cm to 9.0 cm in diameter. The adaxial color when flower isfully open is pure white 155 D throughout. The abaxial color is 155 D,with occasional streaks of 144 A on the outermost whorl. The corolladarkens to 165 C with senescence.

Peduncle: Approximately 9.0 cm to 11.1 cm long, and 5 mm to 6 mm indiameter measured at the midpoint between the calyx and the stem. Coloris 146 D.

Bud: Tightly folded, enclosed in the calyx, round, 0.8-1.5 cm in width,light green in color, R.H.S. 147 C-D, but it rapidly expands andpartially opens/unfolds to take on the colors of the mature flower.

Flowering habit: Flowers borne singularly, carried above the foliage,one flower per stem, frequently with two to three flower stems per leafnode.

Arrangement of flowers: The flowers are clustered together above thefoliage in the center of the plant. Once in full bloom, the flowersappear to be spread over the entire plant.

Texture of flowers: Thick and velvety in appearance.

Quantity of bloom: Plants of `Glo White` are very floriferous, typicallyhaving 4-6 or more flowers open at a given time, and 12 or more buds invarious stages of development and which open in succession.

Duration of bloom: Once in bloom, the plant typically remains in bloomfor approxiamately 12 weeks. Individual flowers remain open forapproximately 14 days before senescing.

Fragrance: None.

Reproductive organs: Stamens and anthers are frequently reduced andpetaloid. Stamens are approximately 2.2 cm long and 1.0 mm wide, and 155D in color. Anthers are approximately 3 mm long and 2 mm wide, and 199 Ain color. Pollen is 159 B in color. Style and stigma are misshapen andfrequently petaloid, 155 D in color, and approximately 2.2 cm long and3.0 mm in diameter; ovary is reduced in size.

Seed characteristics: Sterile hybrid.

PLANT

Form: Basal rosettes of rugose velvet texture, elliptic, paired,opposite leaves arranged around short stems.

Height: Approximately 18 cm to 22 cm, including flowers.

Diameter: Approximately 36 cm to 40 cm.

Stems: Approximately 0.7 cm to 1.2 cm diameter; internodes approximately0.6 cm to 1.4 cm. Stem color is 146 C D.

Resistance to pests and disease: Typical, no special observations made.

FOLIAGE

Size of leaf: The largest leaves are approximately 15 cm to 16.5 cmlong, and 13.5 cm to 14.7 cm wide. Average sized leaves areapproximately 13.5 cm to 14.4 cm long, and 9 cm to 10 cm wide.

Shape of leaf: The leaf blade is ovate with an obtuse to cordate baseand an obtuse to acute tip. The leaf petioles are approximately 4.3 cmto 6.0 cm long and 0.7 cm in diameter measured at the midpoint betweenthe stem and the leaf. The leaf margins are crenate, and somewhat wavy.The leaf blade may be flat or cupped.

Surface texture: The upper surfaces of the leaf are rugose andpubescent. The veins and midrib are sunken on the upper surface, andprotruding on the lower surface. The color of the veins and midrib is146 D on the adaxial surface and 148 C on the abaxial surface.

Color: The leaves are dark green throughout. The adaxial surface is 139A. The abaxial surface is 148 C. The petioles are 146 D.

ROOTS

Stems arise from a fleshy tuber which is approximately 2.0 cm to 2.2 cmin diameter at the time of flowering. The tuber is brownish white, andhas numerous greenish white to brown fibrous roots.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sinningia×hybrida plant named`Glo White`, as illustrated and described.